An original and complete issue of the Journal de Tintin, N° 495, French Dargaud edition, dated 17 April 1958. It is the most historically significant issue of the entire ten-issue 1958 collection: the opening episode of "S.O.S. Météores!" by E.P. Jacobs, a Jean Graton Expo 58 cover, and a magnificent double-page Brussels World's Fair feature, all in a single issue published on the week Expo 58 opened to the world.
The Cover
The cover is by Jean Graton, creator of Michel Vaillant, a spectacular composite of 1950s motorsport and World's Fair architecture. Two racing cars, a blue N°10 and a red one, battle closely in the foreground, while the soaring white cantilevered pavilions of Expo 58 rise behind them. International flags stream, globe lamps glow, and Tintin himself waves a checkered flag in the upper right corner.
The bold announcement "L'EXPO est ouverte!" makes this a primary period document of one of the defining cultural events of postwar Europe. The cover colors are vivid and strong, while the lower portion shows crease damage, clearly photographed and reflected in the price.
S.O.S. Météores: The Opening Episode
The back cover is the opening episode of "S.O.S. Météores!" by E.P. Jacobs, the very first pages of one of the most celebrated Blake and Mortimer stories. It begins with Mortimer's arrival at Professor Labrousse's study, the revelation of the meteorological catastrophes, with flooded cities, crashed aircraft, and storms at sea shown on television screens, and the telephone call that sets the plot in motion.
For collectors assembling the complete "S.O.S. Météores!" serialization, N°495 is the essential starting point: the first episode, in its original publication context. It is the rarest Jacobs episode in the run.
L'Expo de Bruxelles
The interior double-page is a comprehensive editorial feature on "L'Expo de Bruxelles — Le monde entier à rendez-vous". It covers the French and Paris pavilions with photographs, the Journal de Tintin's own Autodrome at the Expo, a 4km miniature racing circuit for readers, the children's kingdom, the science pavilion, the sports festival, and a historical timeline of World's Fairs since 1851.
It is a primary period document of Expo 58, cross-collectible with World's Fair, Belgian history, and modernist architecture collectors worldwide.
Inside the Issue
The interior also carries a full double-page Tibet and Greg "Chick Bill — La Maison du Plus Fort", a complete Canadian Mountie adventure with a log cabin confrontation, a forest chase, and a dramatic rescue. A "La Lueur Verte" Viking adventure strip appears in an atmospheric green and red palette. "La Griffe Noire" by Jacques Martin appears in a Roman setting, with columns, a black dog, and a blond hero in a Roman tunic, rendered with Martin's characteristic historical precision.
Condition
Fair to good. The interior is complete and intact, with color pages vivid throughout. The Jacobs opening episode and the Jacques Martin Roman strip are in particularly fine color. The cover's upper half is vivid and well-preserved, with the Expo 58 architecture, flags, and Tintin figure strong, while the lower half shows multiple horizontal creases with surface scuffing and light corner wear. Condition is fully disclosed and reflected in the price.
Key Details
Type: Original vintage comics magazine — complete issue
Publication: Journal de Tintin — Le Journal des Jeunes de 7 à 77 ans
Publisher: G. Dargaud, Paris (French edition) / Éditions du Lombard, Brussels
Issue: N° 495 (French Dargaud edition) — 10th year
Date: 17 April 1958
Language: French
Dimensions: 21 × 30 cm / 8 × 12 in
Cover: Jean Graton — motorsport and Expo 58 architecture; Tintin with checkered flag; "L'Expo est ouverte!"; vivid colors; lower crease damage
Key content: E.P. Jacobs "S.O.S. Météores!", opening episode, first pages of the story, Professor Labrousse's study, meteorological disaster TV screens, "DRRRING" telephone call; "L'Expo de Bruxelles" double-page World's Fair feature, French and Paris pavilions with photographs, Autodrome Tintin, science and children's pavilions, World's Fairs timeline; Tibet & Greg "Chick Bill — La Maison du Plus Fort", double-page Canadian Mountie adventure, full color; "La Lueur Verte" Viking adventure strip, green/red atmospheric palette; Jacques Martin "La Griffe Noire", Roman setting episode, columns, black dog, blond hero, full color
Condition: Fair to good — interior complete and intact; cover upper half vivid; lower half multiple creases and scuffing; light corner wear
Collectibility: Opening episode of "S.O.S. Météores!", rarest Jacobs episode in the run; Graton Expo 58 cover; Brussels World's Fair primary document; Tibet/Greg Chick Bill; Jacques Martin Roman episode
Why It's Special
This issue gathers three historic firsts in a single document: the opening episode of one of the most celebrated Blake and Mortimer stories, a Graton cover marking the opening week of Expo 58, and a primary World's Fair feature. It is the essential starting point for collectors assembling the complete "S.O.S. Météores!" serialization, and a primary period document for World's Fair and modernist architecture collectors alike. Its honest condition is fully reflected in the price.
One Royal Art
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